Remember the day of walking into a music store like Sam Goody(f.y.e.), Virgin, and the independent stores? I could spend hours perusing the racks up and down the aisles. Now finding a music store is pretty difficult or it has to become a day’s journey. Today we have the Amazon and iTunes that supply us with music from the comfort of our home. Some might love that while others, like myself, miss the experience of picking up the cd along with admiring the artists’ posters on the walk calling my name. When was the last time you walked into a music store to buy music,and Walmart doesn’t count?

Record Store Day was created back in 2007 by Eric Levin, Michael Kurtz, Carrie Colliton, Amy Dorfman, Don Van Cleave and Brian Poehner to celebrate independently owned music stores in the United States and Internationally. You also might remember that Metallica kicked off the festivities in 2008 with an in-store performance at Rasputin Music in San Francisco on April 19, 2008.

So what’s so special about Record Store Day? Exclusive releases, deals, contests, performances! This year the exclusive releases come from the Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, R.E.M, Sonic Youth and splits from Green Day/Husker Du and Red Hot Chili Peppers/Ramones.

Kate Bush’s American breakthrough Hounds of Love was two suites, and two songs from each suite are on this pink vinyl 10″ version. Featured tracks are “The Big Sky,” “Cloud Busting,” “Watching You Without Me,” and “Jif of Life.”

Eric Clapton & John Mayall – Lonely Years

The disc, originally issued in a limited edition on producer Mike Vernon’s mail-order-only Purdah label, features a pair of spare duo performances: the loping Mayall composition “Lonely Years” and the rousing Clapton-penned instrumental “Bernard Jenkins.” These two rare vintage gems, sourced from the original mono masters, capture both of these legendary blues masters in an intimate, stripped-down setting on this special Record Store Day 7″.

Michael Jackson – Hollywood Tonight/Behind The Mask

Both sides of this 7″ are previously unreleased remixes of “Hollywood Tonight” and “Behind The Mask.”

The Rolling Stones – Brown Sugar

This Rolling Stones 7″ features an extra track from Sticky Fingers session, only previously released on a more obscure Rolling Stones hits package. Includes the songs, “Brown Sugar,” “Bitch,” and “Let It Rock.”

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – Gotta Get The Feeling b/w Racing In The Street

Features two tracks, “Abducted” and “Go Outside (remix).” The “Go Outside” remix is exclusively available only on this Record Store Day 7″.

Death Cab For Cutie – Atlantic Records Presents: Death Cab For Cutie In Living Stereo!

This exclusive Record Store Day 7″ is the first place to hear new music from Death Cab. All songs will be on the new record in May. Pieces of new tracks featured are “Home is a Fire”, “You Are A Tourist” and “Some Boys.”

Deerhoof – Friend Opportunity

Deerhoof’s Friend Opportunity is being reissued on vinyl this Record Store Day as a limited edition run of 1000 copies on limited 180-gram translucent green vinyl with an MP3 download card.The album is the first to feature guitarist John Dietrich and features the same line-up as appears on their recently released brand new album Deerhoof vs. Evil.

Deerhoof/Xiu Xiu – Almost Xiu Xiu, Almost Deerhoof

Xiu Xiu and Deerhoof collaborate on Side A of this limited edition (2000 pieces) 7″, which is “Almost Xiu Xiu, Almost Deerhoof.” The B-side is a brand new Xiu Xiu song called “Gregory Saunier Retaliation.” MP3 download card included with every disc.

The Dodos – So Cold

This 7″ features three Dodos tracks. “So Cold” (previously only released on iTunes) completes Side A. Side B includes “All Night” (only available as an Amazon digital only B-side) and “Horns,” which can only be found on this Record Store Day 7″ .

Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues/Grown Ocean

First new Fleet Foxes music since 2008, side one of this 7″ features the track “Helplessness Blues.” The track “Grown Ocean” appears on side two of this double A side high quality pressing. Download card is also inside.

Matt & Kim – Block After Block

Two tracks are on this energetic Matt & Kim 7′”. A remastered album version of “Block After Block” and a Rusty Lazer & JJ Marshall remix of “Cameras(Featuring Big Freedia).”

Midlake/Will Self – Am I Going Insane

The B side of this Am I Going Insane 12-inch is completely spoken word.

Peter Bjorn & John – Dig A Little Deeper/What I Could Do If I Wanted

Features the tracks “Dig A Little Deeper” and “What I Could Do If I Wanted,” which is exclusive to this Record Store Day 7′.

Regina Spektor – Four From Far

This limited edition EP will contain the digital exclusive “Riot Gear”, “The Sword & the Pen” and “Time Is All Around” from far Special Edition, and “Eet” from Live in London, now compiled together on this light blue vinyl for Record Store Day.

Green Day/Husker Du – I Don’t Want To Know If You Are Lonely
Part of the 7″ Side by Side Series where an original artist and a cover artist do a track for a 7″ exclusive to Record Store Day. Green Day pay homage to Husker Du with their cover of “I Don’t Want To Know If You Are Lonely.”

Nirvana – Hormoaning
This exclusive vinyl EP was originally only released in Australia as Nirvana’s 1992 Tour EP. Record Store Day 2011 will be the first time Hormoaning is released stateside.

Pearl Jam – Immortality/Rearviewmirror
“Immortality” originally appeared on Pearl Jam’s 1994 full length Vitalogy. The B Side of this 7″ is a cover of the Frogs’ “Rearviewmirror.”

R.E.M – R.E.M THREE: First Three Singles From Collapse Into Now
This three 7″ package is exclusive to Record Store Day and features three b-side tracks never before issued in any form. Tracks included are “Mine Smell Like Honey”/”Supernatural Superserious”, “Oh My Heart”/”Harborcoat”, “Uberlin”/”What’s The Frequency, Kenneth? (Live In Oslo, Norway).”

Red Hot Chili Peppers/Ramones – Havana Affair
Part of the 7″ Side by Side Series where an original artist and a cover artist do a track for a 7″ exclusive to Record Store Day. Red Hot Chili Peppers cover The Ramones’ “Havana Affair.”

Sonic Youth – Whore’s Moaning
This Whore’s Moaning vinyl EP was originally released in Australia in 1993. Record Store Day 2011 is the first time it will be released stateside.

THE SMASHING PUMPKINS KICK OFF RECORD STORE DAY – APRIL 17, 2010
EXCLUSIVE PRE-SALE FOR THE SMASHING PUMPKINS LIMITED-EDITION EP
“TEARGARDEN BY KALEIDYSCOPE VOL. 1: SONGS FOR A SAILOR”

Coast to coast, fans visiting select local independent record stores on RECORD STORE DAY, Saturday, April 17, will have an opportunity to preorder the new, limited edition EP by The Smashing Pumpkins, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope Vol 1: Songs For A Sailor. The pre-order is exclusive to independent record stores. By preordering the EP, fans will be guaranteed to own the EP and will immediately receive a collector’s edition Smashing Pumpkins black light poster, while supplies last.

Says Smashing Pumpkins band leader Billy Corgan: “I used to work at an indie record shop so I’ll always have a soft spot for the places where I still go to find the most vital music, whether new or still hidden.”